Chapter 223: Chapter 99 Fiancé_3
Under such a questioning gaze, Lu Tong rarely felt a tinge of guilt.
Mistaken by Lady Dong, the Minister of Imperial Treasury, for having an ambiguous relationship with Pei Yunmeng and befriending her, Lu Tong herself had the intention of using Lady Dong to get close to the officials of Shengjing. Thus, she went with the flow, tacitly accepting Lady Dong’s words and even feigning shyness, pushing the boat out even further by herself.
But she overlooked the fact that Lady Dong loves a lively atmosphere, has good personal relations, and is indispensable at the banquets of the wives of Shengjing’s officials. As rumors spread, it was uncertain whether they would reach the ears of Pei Yunshu, Princess Consort of Prince Wen. After all, Lady Dong was present at Prince Wen’s Mansion’s Mid-Autumn banquet.
Pei Yunshu and Pei Yunmeng are siblings, so it was only a matter of time before it reached Pei Yunmeng’s ears.
With people coming and going around them, the lively atmosphere made the air even more stagnant. Lu Tong pressed down her guilt and calmly spoke, "Gossip lies in the mouths of others; misunderstandings by others can’t be cleared up. I don’t care about it, and neither should the Marshal."
"Really?"
Pei Yunmeng nodded with a smile, the dimple beside his lips especially enchanting. "But how come I heard that it was Doctor Lu herself who hinted at a close relationship with me?" His tone was teasing, as he looked at her playfully, "Doctor Lu, such rumors can ruin one’s reputation. Does your fiancé know about this?"
This man is simply despicable!
Lu Tong paused for a moment, then straightened up and said with a smile, "The Marshal need not worry, my fiancé is very generous."
He laughed, arms crossed, and said, "Indeed, generous enough."
Lu Tong didn’t want to talk more with this man. As they approached the carriage, she reminded him, "Regardless, today I helped the Marshal catch someone. How to deal with this person in the future is up to the Marshal. Just remember you owe me a favor."
She wasn’t some altruistic Living Bodhisattva who would recklessly capture someone for Pei Yunmeng at risk to herself. The reason she suggested it was simply to make Pei Yunmeng owe her a favor. Considering the lives of Pei Yunshu and her daughter, given Pei Yunmeng’s nature, as long as it didn’t involve his own benefits, he should be able to turn a blind eye to her actions in Shengjing for a short while.
All he had to do was not make trouble.
"Of course, I remember," Pei Yunmeng sighed, lowering his head to look at her. "Such a big favor, tell me, who do you want to kill next? I could help you."
The offer was tempting. Lu Tong replied, "Thanks, Marshal, but I haven’t killed anyone in the past, and I don’t plan to in the future."
He sighed, "Doctor Lu is really watertight."
Lu Tong indifferently said, "Lord Pei is quite opportunistic."
"Fine," he wasn’t angry, only smiling. "What reward do you want?"
Lu Tong was silent for a moment before speaking, "The Marshal doesn’t need to repay me now. When I think of something in the future, I will ask the Marshal."
Pei Yunmeng frowned, "You’re not trying to blackmail me, are you?"
"Lord Pei should keep his word, right?"
Pei Yunmeng nodded, "It seems you really plan to blackmail me." He stared at Lu Tong, his tone becoming lighthearted again, "I just hope that whatever Doctor Lu entrusts me with isn’t too shocking or scandalous, otherwise wouldn’t I be at a great loss?"
Lu Tong nodded slightly, "I’ll try my best."
As they spoke, the two had reached the street corner. Qingfeng was standing by the carriage, and Pei Yunmeng said, "Go ahead, Qingfeng will escort you."
Lu Tong nodded to him and walked towards the carriage. Just as she reached it, she heard Pei Yunmeng calling from behind, "Doctor Lu."
Her movements of getting into the carriage halted, and she looked back at him.
There he stood at the street corner, with a bustling crowd flowing through the brilliant lights of the lantern dragon in the distance. The moon shone bright above Luoyue Bridge, and the young man, clad in brocade and with a silver dagger, stood out elegantly against the splendid world around him.
Pei Yunmeng began to speak with a smile, "This matter is settled, but one can never say what the future holds. Doctor Lu, do you need Qingfeng to continue protecting you?"
Lu Tong’s gaze shifted.
Honestly, having such a person by her side would indeed be safer. If she was just an ordinary Resident Female Doctor at Renxin Medical Hall, she would have accepted his good intentions without hesitation.
But she was not.
The deeds she had done must, at present, remain unknown to anyone except Yin Zheng.
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Pei, but it’s not necessary," Lu Tong said, looking at him with a calm tone, "In my practice of medicine, there are many poisonous insects and serpents in the medical hall. Should someone ignorant barge in, it could be fatal."
Pei Yunmeng was momentarily taken aback. After Lu Tong said those words, she stepped onto the carriage. The curtain fell, hiding her face and also obscuring the expression behind those almost threatening words.
Qingfeng looked at him, and Pei Yunmeng gestured with his hand. The carriage then entered the bustling night of Shengjing, gradually disappearing from sight.